What Is the Difference Between Live-In Care and 24-Hour Care?
Have you ever wondered what the real difference is between live-in care and 24-hour care at home?
Choosing the right type of care for a loved one can feel overwhelming, and understanding your options is one of the most important steps you can take. At Home Instead South Lanarkshire, we are here to offer guidance that is clear, caring, and informed by years of experience.
Both live-in care and 24-hour care allow people to remain in their own homes, preserving their comfort, independence, and sense of belonging. However, the two arrangements are quite different in practice. Understanding these differences can help you find the best solution for your family.
What Is Live-In Care?
Live-in care means that a professional caregiver moves into the home to provide assistance throughout the day and evening. Typically, one caregiver will stay for a week or two at a time, before another takes over. This allows for continuity and builds a strong bond between the caregiver and the person receiving support.
While live-in carers are present at all times, it is important to know that they are entitled to an eight-hour sleep at night. During this time, they are usually only available for emergency assistance. Carers may also take short breaks during the day, which might sometimes require family members or additional help to step in.
The support live-in carers offer often includes help with washing, dressing, preparing meals, companionship, and gentle encouragement to maintain routines. Many families appreciate the reassurance and consistency this brings.
Costs for live-in care are generally charged at a flat daily rate, making budgeting more predictable compared to hourly rates.
What Is 24-Hour Care?
24-hour care ensures there is always someone awake and alert in the home, providing constant supervision and support. Instead of living at the property, caregivers typically work structured shifts — either 12-hour or 8-hour patterns — with different carers rotating to maintain continuous coverage.
Unlike live-in carers, 24-hour carers do not sleep during their shifts. Their focus remains on providing active care, including assistance with medication, mobility, personal care, and companionship during the day and night.
24-hour care can be especially helpful for individuals living with complex medical needs, advanced dementia, or high risks of falls or emergencies during the night. As carers must remain awake and vigilant throughout their shifts, the cost for 24-hour care tends to be higher and is usually billed on an hourly basis.
Key Differences Between Live-In Care and 24-Hour Care
Caregiver Presence
- Live-In Care: One caregiver lives within the home, offering active help during the day and emergency support during the night.
- 24-Hour Care: Carers work active shifts and stay awake at all times, providing constant supervision.
Sleep and Breaks
- Live-In Care: Carers take an eight-hour sleep at night, only attending to emergencies if needed.
- 24-Hour Care: Carers remain awake throughout their shift, ensuring someone is always available.
Costs
- Live-In Care: Costs are billed at a flat daily rate.
- 24-Hour Care: Costs are billed hourly, leading to a higher overall cost due to the need for multiple carers.
Level of Supervision
- Live-In Care: Suited for those who are relatively independent but require daytime support and companionship.
- 24-Hour Care: Suited for those who need constant attention and immediate support, day and night.
When Is Live-In Care the Best Choice?
Live-in care could be the ideal solution when:
- Your loved one needs help with everyday tasks but can sleep safely through the night without supervision.
- Companionship and maintaining daily routines are priorities.
- Your loved one prefers to stay in their own home, surrounded by familiar comforts.
- You have family members or other carers available to assist during caregiver breaks.
This arrangement works particularly well for those adjusting to life after the loss of a partner or recovering from illness or injury, where structure and gentle support are essential.
When Is 24-Hour Care the Better Option?
24-hour care may be more appropriate when:
- Your loved one has advanced dementia and might wander or become disoriented during the night.
- Palliative support is needed, ensuring consistent, sensitive care through the day and night.
- There is a high risk of medical emergencies or frequent nighttime waking.
With 24-hour care, families can find peace of mind knowing that someone is always alert and ready to provide immediate assistance, no matter the time.
Advantages of 24-Hour Care at Home
Constant Support
Accidents and emergencies can happen at any time. Having carers available 24 hours a day reduces risks and ensures help is always on hand.
Preserving Independence
Receiving care at home allows individuals to maintain their daily habits, enjoy their favourite hobbies, and live life on their own terms, with gentle support when needed.
Building Familiarity
Although a team of carers rotates, agencies like Home Instead South Lanarkshire work hard to ensure consistency wherever possible, helping clients feel comfortable and reassured.
Staying in a Familiar Environment
Home remains the heart of life for many people. Remaining in familiar surroundings supports emotional well-being, particularly for those living with dementia.
Keeping Pets
Unlike residential facilities, at-home care allows beloved pets to remain an important part of daily life, providing companionship and comfort.
Maintaining Social Connections
Being at home makes it easier to keep in touch with friends, neighbours, and local communities, supporting social and emotional health.
Understanding the Costs
24-hour care is understandably more expensive due to the constant vigilance required. Weekly costs can reach around £3,000, depending on the level of care and location. To support families, a care needs assessment and a financial means test through the local authority may help determine eligibility for funding.
At Home Instead South Lanarkshire, we are always available to explain funding options and guide you through the process.
Finding the Right Carers
Choosing the right carer is about much more than matching skills. Personality, understanding, and kindness are equally important. Home Instead South Lanarkshire takes great care to match clients with carers who are not only qualified but also a genuine fit for the family’s situation and values.
Our team is committed to learning about each person’s life story, preferences, and wishes to create a truly personalised care plan.
How Home Instead South Lanarkshire Can Support You
At Home Instead South Lanarkshire, we understand that arranging care for a loved one can be an emotional journey. Our experienced team is here to support you every step of the way, offering advice, answering questions, and ensuring you feel fully informed.
Whether you are looking into live-in care or 24-hour home care, we can help you make the right decision for your loved one’s dignity, safety, and happiness.
To speak to a member of our caring team, please visit Home Instead South Lanarkshire or contact us today. We are ready to support you with warmth, professionalism, and understanding.
Areas We Serve
Lanark, Carluke, Biggar & the surrounding areas
G75 0, G75 9, ML10 6, ML11 0, ML11 7, ML11 8, ML11 9, ML12 6, ML3 0, ML3 6, ML3 7, ML3 8, ML3 9, ML8 4, ML8 5, ML9 1, ML9 2, ML9 3
7 St Leonard St, Lanark ML11 7AB, UK
01555 700601